of the body, ver. 14, do you succour one another, hut also drive away the death of the soul. — zuav-^s /, shall hide ) impelled by that same love , under the influence of which he recalled him when in error ; 1 Pet. iv. 8, note.1 — n rhriOog u/xapnuvj a multitude of sins) either the sins which the person in error had committed, and which are known to him who converts him, or those which he was about to commit.2 Steph. and ^Ethiop. read, of his sins. I know not why Steph. is in- serted by Baumgarten. James concludes as though it were an or- dinary book and not a letter.
1 Shall in love charitably hide, not reveal to others, but intercede with God for, the sins of his neighbour whom he converts. — E.
2 And also the sins which either had been committed, or might still hereafter be committed, by the converter or others. — V. g.
*
I. UsTpoc, Peter) There is a wonderful weightiness and liveliness in the style of Peter, which most agreeably arrests the attention of the reader. The design of each Epistle is, to stir up by way of remem- brance the pure mind of the faithful, 2 Pet. iii. 1, and to guard them not only against error, but even against doubt, ch. v. 12. This he does by reminding them of that Gospel grace, by which believers, being anointed, are inflamed to bring forth the fruits of faith, hope, love, and patience, in every duty and affliction. The first Epistle contains three parts.
I. The Inscription, ch. i. 1, 2.
II. The stirring up of a pure feeling. He excites the
elect —
a) As those Born again of God. Here he mentions as well the benefits of GOD towards believers, as also the duties of believers towards God ; and he inter- weaves these things one with another, by three powerful motives, to which weight is added from the mystery of CHRIST.
A) God has regenerated us to a lively HOPE, to an inheritance of glory and salvation, ver. 3-12.
Therefore HOPE “to the end” ( perfectly ),
13.
As obedient sons, bring forth to your heavenly Father the fruit of FAITH, 14-21.
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